tigers, temples and taj

Transcription

1 Indian Sub continent tigers, temples and taj trip highlights Stand in awe of the glorious Tal Mahal Venture to Jaipur, the colourful capital of Rajasthan Explore the erotic temples of Khajuraho Wander through the 16th Century township of Orchha Spot tigers in Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks Ride through the bazaars of Old Delhi on a rickshaw Trip Duration 12 days Trip Code: TIG Grade Adventure touring Activities Adventure Touring, Wildlife Safari Summary 11 nights hotel/lodge welcome to World Expeditions Thank you for your interest in our Tigers, Temples and Taj trip. At World Expeditions we are passionate about our off the beaten track experiences as they provide our travellers with the thrill of coming face to face with untouched cultures as well as wilderness regions of great natural beauty. We are committed to ensuring that our unique itineraries are well researched, affordable and tailored for the enjoyment of small groups or individuals philosophies that have been at our core since 1975 when we began operating adventure holidays. Our itineraries will give you the very best travel experience, designed by people with incredible local knowledge who share our vision of authentic exchange and real exploration with a responsible tourism approach. Whether you like your adventures to include trekking, touring, cycling, mountaineering, kayaking or cruising World Expeditions can make it happen for you. We hope you will join us for a life changing experience!! why travel with World Expeditions? When planning travel to a remote and challenging destination, many factors need to be considered. World Expeditions has been pioneering trips since Our extra attention to detail and seamless operations on the ground ensure that you will have a memorable experience in the Indian Sub continent. Most trips are accompanied by an experienced local leader, as well as support staff that share a passion for the region, and a desire to share it with you. We take every precaution to ensure smooth logistics, with private vehicles throughout your trip. We use comfortable 3 to 4 star accommodation and in most cases, all internal transport, entrance fees, national park fees and transfers are included in the trip cost. Most importantly, our adventures always aim to benefit the local people we interact with, safeguard the ecosystems we explore and contribute to the sustainability of travel in the regions we experience World Expeditions Travel Group - Joe Kennedy 8/28/2017 2:18:06 PM

2 Delhi Agra Jaipur Orchha India Tibet Nepal Khajuraho Bandhavgarh NP Kanha NP Nagpur trip dates Departs every Sunday from September to April important notes H - High Season NB: - This trips involves a journey by train. Trains in India are a very popular mode of travel for visitors with only limited places available. These can book out up to 4 months in advance. To avoid disappointment we recommend booking early and providing the necessary details to your sales consultant. Note: - The dome of the Taj Mahal is expected to undergo cleaning and revitalisation work from April throughout the rest of This will mean that it is likely that scaffolding and other related structures will be present while this work is undertaken. trip cost Joining Delhi from: $2699 All prices are per person options & supplements H - Supplement applies on 25 and 31 December: $490 Single Supplement: $720 Single Traveller Surcharge: $1620 Single travellers are required to pay a single supplement when joining this adventure. The cost of the single supplement is listed above. For competitive airfares and stopover ideas to join this adventure, contact our expert staff today to receive a detailed quote. the trip Travellers are often torn between choosing an itinerary that focuses on the Culture of India or its Nature. Well here s one that incorporates both! It takes in the architectural splendour of India s famed Golden Triangle, including visits to the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Amber Fort and the Hawa Mahal. We also venture to the erotic temples of Khajuraho and the medieval city of Orchha; a 16th Century town that for all the world appears to be frozen in time. The wild side of our adventure takes place in the Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks, which are best known for their Bengal Tiger populations. Catching even a fleeting glimpse of these magnificent beasts as they skulk through their natural habitat will send your heart rate soaring! You dare not even blink for fear of loosing the memory from the hard drive inside your mind s eye! at a glance DAY 1 DAYS 2-3 DAY 4 DAYS 5-6 DAYS 7-8 DAYS 9-10 DAY 11 DAY 12 JOIN DELHI, SIGHTSEEING IN NEW DELHI TO JAIPUR, SIGHTSEEING VISIT TAJ MAHAL AND RED FORT IN AGRA, EN ROUTE VISIT FATEHPUR SIKRI TRAIN TO JHANSI, TRANSFER TO KHAJURAHO, EN ROUTE VISIT ORCHHA WILDLIFE SAFARI IN BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK WILDLIFE SAFARI IN KANHA NATIONAL PARK DRIVE TO NAGPUR, FLY TO DELHI, SIGHTSEEING IN OLD DELHI IN DELHI, TRIP CONCLUDES what s included 11 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 11 dinners airport transfers (day 1 and 12 only) comfortable hotel accommodation and heritage hotels on a twin share basis internal flight Nagpur/Delhi AC chair berth from Agra to Jhansi private air conditioned vehicles jeep safari sightseeing with local guides including entrance fees as specified Local cash payments are becoming increasingly popular with many operators in the adventure travel industry. The policy seems to benefit the tour operators, more than the local economies or travellers, as it avoids local taxes and transfers the cost and risk of cash handling to travellers. In accordance with our Responsible Travel practices we have chosen a policy not to ask for such payments. what s not included International airfares and departure taxes Visas Travel Insurance (compulsory) Meals and beverages not mentioned in the itinerary Tips and gratuities Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls, bottled mineral water, soft drinks, alcohol etc Optional activities and sightseeing during free time Still/video camera fees at monuments World Expeditions Travel Group - Joe Kennedy 8/28/2017 2:18:06 PM

3 fast facts Countries Visited: India Visas: Yes* Vaccinations: Please consult a travel vaccination specialist for up to date information Private Groups: Private group options are available for this trip* Singles: A single supplement is available for this trip* Advice for people with limited mobility This trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. *Ask our staff for more information. DAY 1 Join Delhi, sightseeing in New Delhi Upon arrival at Delhi airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. We then plan to spend the rest of the day sight-seeing around New Delhi the British-built side of the city. Key monuments we hope to visit include: India Gate (a memorial arch honouring soldiers who were killed in WW1), Lakshmi Narayana Temple, Rashtrapati Bhawan (the president s house) and Humayun s Tomb an exquisite example of Mughal architecture, set in a magnificent formal Persian garden. meals: D DAYS 2-3 To Jaipur, sightseeing Arriving in Jaipur, we have the better part of a day and a half to explore the chaotic capital of Rajasthan, quite possibly India s most colourful city. We take in several of the city s medieval palaces and monumental forts, but be warned -- travelling between them will be an adventure in itself! Expect to see camel carts and elephants, scooters, trucks and bikes all jostling for space on the roads. We ll visit the landmark, honey-combed pink facade of Hawa Mahal (The Palace of the Winds), the City Palace and Amber Fort plus the World Heritage listed Jantar Mantar Observatory. Here you ll find a curious collection of huge stone instruments that were designed to observe and measure all manner of astronomical activity from calculating eclipses to plotting the azimuth of various stars. DAY 4 Visit Taj Mahal and Red Fort in Agra, en route visit Fatehpur Sikri We have a 4 to 5 hour road trip ahead of us today, but break the journey just shy of Agra, at what remains of the city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built during the second half of the 16th Century by Emperor Akbar, this so-called City of Victory was only the capital of the Mughal Empire for ten years, but it bears exceptional testimony to the great vision of Akbar, and the architects of his day. Of all the incredible monuments in India, the Taj Mahal reigns supreme. Many pundits would argue that it is, indeed, the most famous building in the world. It is certainly the most extravagant monument ever built for love - taking 22 years and the skills of 20,000 artisans to complete. The Taj Mahal really is as spectacular as you have no doubt imagined it to be - exquisite from every conceivable vantage-point. The attention to detail up close the filigree, the calligraphy and the inlay is simply mind-blowing. So too, the symmetry of the building when viewed from afar. Agra Fort - a remarkable citywithin-a-city on the bank of the Yamuna River provides us with possibly the best view of all, from the top of its octagonal tower. DAYS 5-6 Train to Jhansi, transfer to Khajuraho, en route visit Orchha From Agra we take the super-fast Shatabdi Express train to Jhansi. On arrival, we transfer to our coach and begin driving towards Khajuraho. We take time en route to visit Orchha - a 16th Century town that appears to have frozen in time. Nestled on the banks of the Betwe River, it features several ancient temples and a magnificent palace adorned with many wonderful murals. Khajuraho itself is a quiet and remote township renowned for its extraordinary erotic temples. Together, the highly decorative sculptures that adorn these religious buildings depict the daily-life of commoners, warriors, musicians and the ruling World Expeditions Travel Group - Joe Kennedy 8/28/2017 2:18:06 PM

4 classes during the 10th and 11th centuries. It is, in effect, a celebration of all aspects of life, but many scenes feature highly explicit and/or sensual posturing reminiscent of the Karma Sutra. Definitely not for the prudish! DAYS 7-8 Wildlife Safari in Bandhavgarh National Park The wild side of our adventure begins today - once we reach Bandhavgarh! This former hunting preserve of the Maharajah of Rewa was declared a tiger reserve in 1993 under the highly successful Project Tiger conservation initiative. The tiger population here is thought to be the highest in India and includes the extremely rare white tiger. Other species you may see as we explore the park by 4WD jeep include: leopard, sambar, barking deer, Asiatic jackal, sloth bear, jungle cat, grey mongoose, common langur, rhesus macaque and gaur. And with 250 different bird species in the park, there will be plenty to keep the twitchers among us happy from dawn til dusk! DAYS 9-10 Wildlife Safari in Kanha National Park Our next wild destination is Kanha National Park and although the vegetation here is very different to that of Bandhavgarh, it too, is home to tigers! They hide out in the bamboo forests and grasslands along with antelope, chausinga, dhole, panther and many other interesting species. The star attraction, however, is the Central Indian barasingha, a rare species of swamp deer, for this is the only place in the world where they still exist. By day, we game-drive through the park, taking in all that it is prepared to reveal by night, we relax by our resort bonfire, sharing the excitement of our many wild encounters! DAY 11 Drive to Nagpur, fly to Delhi, sightseeing in Old Delhi After breakfast this morning we drive to Nagpur, then fly back to Delhi. We have time for one final tour that s bound to leave an impression albeit a slightly crowded one! After visiting the magnificent Red Fort, located in the Old Delhi side of the city, we take a thrilling rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of the bustling bazaar. Our destination is Jama Masjid the largest mosque in India. DAY 12 In Delhi, trip concludes Our tour ends today with a transfer to the international airport for your flight home. meals: B This itinerary is subject to change with any change in Community regulations as well as Governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control. important note These trip notes represent the most current information for this itinerary, and may supersede any information in the current brochure, including but not limited to the itinerary and price. The itinerary should be seen as a guide only. This itinerary may change at any time due to inclement weather, forces of nature and other circumstances beyond our control. country information India has fascinated travellers for thousands of years. It s exotic, chaotic, romantic and wild a garam masala like mix of moods, textures, fragrances and colours that will delight and challenge World Expeditions Travel Group - Joe Kennedy 8/28/2017 2:18:06 PM

5 your senses and quite possibly your sensibilities. It really is a land of contrasts, home to more than a billion people, 18 officially recognized languages and more religions and sects than any other place on earth. More than half the regal state of Rajasthan is taken up by the Thar desert, a subtle landscape of pastel hues completely overwhelmed in its towns and cities by India s love of vibrant colour. At times you ll feel as if you are a tiny glass bead, floating inside the world s largest kaleidoscope. Tribal dresses, saris and turbans, forts, palaces and havalies there is no such thing as a blank canvas in Rajasthan! Every surface is embellished or colourfully adorned. The history of Rajasthan is equally enchanting, defined by a wealth of regal monuments built by the proud Rajputs and their princely descendents the celebrated Maharajahs of India. Many of their forts and palaces are mere shadows of their former selves, but others are still bedazzling with medieval splendor. Indeed six are collectively inscribed on UNESCO s World Heritage List as a site of great cultural importance. climate The coolest months in Rajasthan are not surprisingly the desert state s High Season for tourism: from December through to late February. The heat starts to build up in Delhi and Rajasthan, around mid March and by late April it becomes extremely hot with temperatures pushing the mercury into the C ( F) realm. dietary requirements Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut free or allergen free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self administering these medications. equipment required A comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre departure information supplied on booking. vehicles & safety During the course of your trip, we will use a variety of vehicles, all of which are fit for purpose and the conditions encountered. It should be noted that laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and whilst wherever possible, vehicles with seatbelts are provided, on occasion some vehicles may not have seat belts fitted. trip grading These adventure touring journeys and involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping. Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 3 months prior to departure World Expeditions Travel Group - Automated Import 11/1/2018 4:09:39 AM

6 thoughtful travel The natural environments that you ll travel through are fragile; the cultures and traditions precious and often the communities we pass through are reliant on tourism. It is our responsibility as visitors to minimise the impact of our presence, protect what is precious and where we can leave a positive impact. Learn how you can do this by downloading the Thoughtful Traveller booklet from our website. adventure travel By its very nature adventure travel involves an element of the unexpected. In remote and developing countries do not expect standards you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable and itineraries may be altered. To get the most out of your adventure it is important that you are flexible, positive and eager to take on all the challenges that arise. If you are uncertain about your suitability for this trip we recommend that you speak with your consultant or travel agent. info nights World Expeditions invites you to attend our inspiring adventure travel information nights. These special evenings are designed to inform and entertain and are hosted by our most experienced and passionate adventure travellers and mountaineers. Ask our staff for a info night schedule or register on our website Shows can fill early so it is important to register your attendance so we know to save a seat, or two! private groups The adventures featured in our brochures, and on our website, are just a starting point for many of our private group travellers. Working closely with our Groups Department we can organise custom designed itineraries for groups of friends, clubs, charity s, schools or even work colleagues. Our team will assist you with all aspects of your private group adventure from itinerary design to group flights. Contact our team today. subscribe to our e-newsletter Never miss an amazing deal, inspirational speaker tour or exciting new trips and cutting edge adventure news! Head to our website to subscribe to our regular e newsletter. trip availability If this trip seems right for you then we encourage you to call us now to check availability. There are many reasons why you may not be able to join your desired departure and limited space on our small group departures is just one of them. Many of our adventures require us to secure services on your behalf; such as trekking permits, train travel and visa invitation letters. The demand is increasing each year making it difficult to join a trip last minute. To ensure we can assist you onto your adventure of a lifetime we ask that you check your trip availability with our team at your earliest convenience. social networking Connect with us on social Like our page at facebook.com/worldexpeditions Follow us at instagram.com/worldexpeditions YOUTUBE: World Expeditions World Expeditions Travel Group - Automated Import 11/1/2018 4:09:39 AM

7 Subscribe to our channel at youtube.com/worldexpeditions Share the love Use the hashtag #WorldExpeditions on your best travel photos and videos to be featured. how to book To book a World Expeditions trip, you will need to complete a booking form and pay a non refundable deposit which you can do by using our online booking function for most trips, or if you prefer, download a booking form from the website and return to us by fax, or mail your booking form and deposit to your nearest World Expeditions office or travel agent. We can also help you with any additional arrangements that you require, such as competitive airfares to get you to your destination, stopovers, pre or post trip accommodation or any additional tours that you wish to take in conjunction with the main World Expeditions trip World Expeditions Travel Group - Automated Import 11/1/2018 4:09:39 AM